New petitions were filed last Friday, January 10, with Kent County, to recall Cedar Springs City Councilors Patricia Troost and Ashley Bremmer.

Resident Mark Laws filed the new petitions after the language on two previous petitions was rejected at a clarity/factual hearing on December 31. Elections Director Susan deStiguer said that none of the three on the committee thought the petition held any facts.

A clarity/factual hearing has been set on the new petitions for January 29, at 8 a.m.

The new language (reason for recall) reads:

“1) On July 11, 2013 the city council motioned and supported to adjourn to a closed session and then adjourned. The Open Meetings Act 267, 15.267, 8A allows a closed session if the named person requests a closed hearing. No such request was made.

2) City council has a protocol in place requiring any change of import to be on agenda for public input and comment before it can be acted on by council in a following meeting. Former council member Merlington wrote this protocol. The new logo that was approved in November 2013 council meeting was not presented to the public for input or comments.”

The first reason applies to a council meeting where then Mayor Bob Truesdale was allegedly taken into closed session without asking for one and then verbally lambasted by other council members. The second reason has to do with the process of adopting the new logo.

4 Responses to “New recall petitions filed”

The level of dysfunctionality surrounding the Cedar Springs City Council is utterly astounding. I wonder if the people involved with the recalls, the petty infighting, and the fighting with the Red Flannel Festival over logo rights ever wonder how they appear from the outside looking in. As someone who lives near Cedar Springs but not in within the city limits, I can only feel relief that they do not represent me and my interests.

Those looking from the outside seldom have all the facts in a situation, and I say that with all due respect because what isn’t so clear to outsiders is that the Red Flannel Festival and their followers seem to be doing whatever they can to destroy Cedar Springs. Protecting taxpayers money is the first call of duty for a council and that is what led to the campaign against the members now caught up in a recall. (Their first attempt failed) Holding a city hostage over a logo, that should rightfully be theirs, is at the center of this situation because the city council chose to protect taxpayer’s and move on. The RFF is not willing to accept that decision. They are now going after the Chamber of Commerce over logos they have registered with the state. Sad….nobody wins.

Well stated Kathy. The residents of Cedar Springs have so much more to worry about. Especially this time of year with feeding their families and the rise in heat and electrical usage. Why can’t Mark Laws, Steve McrBide, Rose Powell and the rest Red Flannel Board and their so called followers, actually take their so called love for our Community and actually stop this and start saying I’m sorry and we were wrong how can we mend this and lets work together and help our neighbors, businesses, residents and visitors to our City. It has been in their hands since they sent the cease and assist letter to the City in 2012! It has been them and another thing, what has the City or Council ever said against the Red Flannel Board. All the bad press has been from them. Actually, if you really look you will find the real villain and bully here and it is not from MY CITY leaders!